Integral trolley rail



June 8, 1948, B. B. MCCARN 2,442,774

INTEGRAL TROLLEY RAIL Filed Oct.. 19, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l Junes,194s. B B, MCCARN 2,442,774 y* INTEGRAL TROLLEY RAIL Filed Oct. 19, 1944 v A I5 Sheets-Sheet 2;

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June s; 194s.

B. B. lvlcxxzrf; ,2,442,774 INTEGRAL TROLLEY RAIL Filed Oct. v 19, 1944 IOW m if@ @MM INVENTOR.

Patented June f8, i948 iso stares PATENT OFFICE INTEGRAL TROLLEY RAIL Burtis B. McCarn, Jersey City, N. J.'

Application October 19, 1944, Serial No. 559,339

This invention relates to improvements in overhead trolley rails and more particularly to trolley rails comprising as a new article of manufacture an integral assembly of lower .chord of standard trolley track and an upper chord of structural section connected by a plurality of chord-joiners' of novel style and having novel relationships with the respective chords. This invention also discloses a novel combination of parts for economically resisting the various external and internal stresses of an integral rail.

The general requirements for a two-thread ina tegral trolley rail are well known. It has the design requirements of a beam for carrying a moving load, characterized by having the load applied to the bottom chord and suspended below it, by having long spans without lateral support for the top flange, by the need for minimum deflection at the track, by the need for minimum width at the track as aiecting stresses in track and trolley yokes, and by the need for security while supporting loads moved along the rail or vertically accelerated loads. Itis desirable to join and support adjacent spans in such manner as to produce continuous-beam eiects in resisting vertical loadings and in resisting lateral deflection.

The utility of the integral rail here disclosed as an article of manufacture, is that it meets all the needs and general requirements simultaneously and in an economical and ecient manner.

Among the objects of the invention may be noted the provision of an improved overhead trolley rail characterized by great strength in proportion to dead weight, and to the value of materials plus labor used in its construction; the provision of an overhead rail comprising a welded assembly of upper and lower chords and a novel and effective manner of joining the chords so as to avoid direct tension on any weld or a bending moment on any weld or a combination of such tension and bending; the provision of an overhead rail employing upper and lower chords and chord-joiners that simultaneously center the track chord under the upper structural chord, provide rigid connections between the chords, and provide resilience in resisting stresses due to side thrust of loads; the provision of an integral rail combining wide top flange, narrow bottom ange at track portion and substantial depth of rail, all in proportion to the size of the standard track section used; the provision of overhead track with a typical form of construction capable of beingV maintained while permitting variation in the design of individual spanning members in accordance with usual engineering practice for various 21 Claims. (Cl. 104-111) spans, depths, loadings and the like; the provision of trolley rail with intervals of clear space between the chord-poiners, which permit passage through .the rail of supporting members, pipes, conduits and the like, above the clearance lines traced by tops of trolley wheels; and the provision of an overhead trolley track which is capable of prefabrication in complete sections for shipment and assembly on the job with each section incorporating means providing ready assembly with adjacent sections and strong connections to supports.

Other objects will be in part obvious 'from the annexed drawings and in part hereinafter indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of one half of a shipping section of integral rail according to one embodiment of the invention, the other half being symmetrical by rotation about line lil-I9 which may be taken to represent the vertical center line of the shipping section;

Fig. 2 is a section taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side View of a portion of the rail illustrated in Fig. 1 to show 4the construction of the chord-joiners Fig. 4 is an enlarged section through the lower chord illustrating the lconnection of a chordjoiner therewith; f

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a partial shipping section of an integral rail of modified construction accor-ding to the invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side View of a portion of the rail illustrated in Fig. 5 to show the .construction of a chord-joiner;

Fig. '7 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating an alternative and cheaper section for the lower chord, and a method of connecting a chordjoiner therewith; Y

Fig. 8 is a section through an integral rail illustrating an alternative construction for long spans or for use under conditions requiring greater strength than provided by the structural upper chord as illustrated in other iigures;

fFig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 5 which illustrates another form of integral rail according to the invention;

Fig. 10 is a section taken along line lil-IU of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged side View of a portion of the rail illustrated in Fig. 9 to show the construction of a chord-joiner;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged side View similar to Fig.

11, to show the construction of a chord-joiner as used with a single section track member.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views, 20 indicates generally a prefabricated section of integral rail according to the invention. While the length of the section will Vary, the partial section of rail shown may be regarded as approximately half the length of a complete section thereof. 'As Ashown in the drawings, the said section comprises a rigidly connected assembly of a structural top chord 2| providing a wide top flange, a common hard steel track section 22 forming the bottom vchord and providing at the same time a narrowtrackfor load bearing trolley wheels, a plurality of specially formed and connected chord-joiners to be described, and two sections of web4platef29 -close to the ends of the section. Each end of the typical shipping sections shown corresponds to a point of support for the integral rail', hence plate 29 is nclose to apoint vof support.

'The top chord 2l .as'shown inFig. 2 preferably comprises'a-T rnade from one flange and half the web of a wdefflangejbeam; vbut it-` will oftenbe advantageous 'to use less than half the web, thereby making'the remainder'of the I beam available-for'another use Aas for .a crane or for a stronger rail. @In either case, there is Aample space for a set of` punched holes k2flateach end `of the The loottoml chord' 22 'may' take theform of a rolledk section of 'hard ysteel trackwith two symmetrical treads for supporting overhead trolley wheels. In the preferred formcf thisA invention, a wellknown'track section 22 isused of two parts 22a -andf'."b'attached together, 'usually by bolts 25,.22a being 'a rolled section of hard steel with a continuous flange' near thebottom offits Aouter face designedY to support one wheel ofafpair of trolley wheels ,and with a` continuous groove and ofset near the'topofitsinner faceV designedl to clamp Aonto adjustable hangers slidable along the groove, and 22h being anotherlength ofthe same rolledsection turned end for'er'id.I "Thus track22 may vbe carried in stock forx use "with slidable hangers as perstandard practiclaand also'for` making the integral railof thisinvention, the two 'uses supplementingieah other in ithe monorail business.

Considering now the specially formed'elements termed chord-fjoiners 'orchordconnectors, and their relationships ywith other elements of' the integral rail according to the-invention, reference character 32 `(Figs.`1rto4) vindicates one of a plurality of space dchord-joiners preferably of rolled riat'bar steel. The upper end of'32 is offset from the vertical plane of the rail by ain-amount equal toene-half `ofthe thickness of-'stem of the-top chord plus one-halfthe thicknessY of the bar from which the chordjoiner :is made, whereby= the track is centered under' the-top chord, and the location' line ofthe tra'ckcentersupon the connectinsofabrail to supports. flheupperv end of l32 has a rigid attachment to the stemof thetop chord as by two llet welds 33, 34; (Fig.3)4 or by two rivets. To facilitate weldingandincrease the strength of the rail, the fillet weld 33 may be continued across theend of bar 32and madeone with vweld 34, but the utilityof portions 33:,and. 34 will be the same as for separatewelds. "Two rivets spaced apart vvertically may be substituted for `horizontal surfaces of the head groove, and fillet welds `3l, 38 are then made so as to form a rigid connection between chord-joiner and track. The -ledgesare-capable of transmitting vertical loads due Yto loaded trolleys upon the track, Without subjecting/'welds 3'l,`38 to vertical tension. As

shownin'r-Fig. 1, the width of the chord-joiner is less than the depth of the rail and the chordjoiners are spaced apart a ,distance approximating'two to`three times the Vdepthof the rail; these being general 'characteristics of Ythe 'preferred form of the'inventlon. For'the species of the invention shown inFig. 1, however, .the:chord joiner 132 mightbe economically and e'iciently made of .width greater'thanthe depth. olf the' rail.

The' intermittent spacing ofthe chord-joiners permits considerable llatitude'fin thedesign'of an individual section'of *rail as' regards locatlonsof chord-joiners. Theymay 'be spaced closer'together near the ends of the`sectlon for increased strength of`the`rail; 4-andthe spacings may be varied for clearance of'supports,'pipes or'similar obstructions desired' to ,pass through 'the rail.

Vlorflight loadsyand'shallow 'depths of rail, .the chord-joiners in combination Vwith'the top and bottom chordsas described'will be found sufficient by common methods" of design' or test to forman e'icient section of integralrail. For most cases however, itwillbe'desirable to use a lengthof web plate between thechords near each point of'supportl of the integral. rail. 'When such. web vplates are used, some of thechord-joiners may have the track sectionssimply clamped on, thus saving the welding at. these chordljoin'ers.

AEach end of. the rail section, .as illustrated-,in Fig. 1, is providedlwith a web, plate 29 of. rectangular' outline.; the upper and-lower edges respectively thereof beinglwelded to the adjacent edges of .the V,upper andllower'chords. The length of plate T29 may 'be varied to .suit the specified strength ,of an ,individual shipping section, of rail. Plate 29 is Vlocated, close .to the point. of support ofthe integral rail, but allowance ,may bemade for clearance of `tracksplice, .support and one chord-joinen The' length of7p1ate29determines the locations ofw the ytwo adjacent 'chord-rj oiners 32a Yof typical style 32` which. are welded to the ends of ,plate 29, whereby YtheV common web .plate construction takes ,on the advantages of #the chord-joiner construction.

A modified'form .of chord-joiner isemployed in the rail illustrated-in-'Fig I-5 forconnectingthe upper chord 2|-a1'1d lowerchord'22. Eachchordjoiner, as Vshown in Fig.f6, Vconsists-of a `fiat -rolled steel bar or ,plate 4I' ,havingv its upper end split and the twolarmsflla, 4lbroffset relative toleach other and rigidly. attached-to 4thestemof the top chordlbyllet .welds 42,13 .and144 v on -each arm. We1ds42 are at the vtwo outside edges -of the bar andare capablefofwexerting-a force couple -for resistingr internal'stresses inthe rail'while simultaneously .resisting tension fon the, 'chordfjoinen all resistance vbeing, accomplished by ,means of welds in shear, said welds being of readily computed safe strength. The width of the chordjoiner is sumcient to space the two welds 42 and 42 a substantial distanceapart as affecting the strength of the force couple. Welds 43 and 44 are supplementary tack welds, and might be omitted without impairing the total strength of the rail. Each chord-joiner lll may have its lower end formed similarly to the chord-joiner 32 of the Figs. 1-4 modication, or similarly to the variant thereof indicated in Fig. 7, and may be rigidly connected to the lower chord as by the fillet welds 31, 38 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 illustrates a construction in which angles 46a and 46h of hard steel, which are secured back to back as shown, are substituted for the track sections 22a and 22h respectively. The chordjoiners 45 consequently have the modified form as shown being made as straight bars of a length to extend the full height of the angles and to project below the horizontal flanges thereof; and being fillet welded top and bottom as'at d?, d8 and 41a, 48a, to the angles. In other respects, chordjoiners 45 correspond to the chord-joiners 32 (Fig. 3), or lll (Fig. 6), or 50 (Fig. 11), the form 50 to be described hereinafter. In Fig. 8 the upper chord 2l is reinforced by a structural channel 40 for long spans or for use under conditions requiring greater strength than provided by a simple T-section.

Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated a rail with chord-joiners between upper and lower chords following generally the style of the chordjoiners illustrated in the Figs. 5 and 6 modication but in which the two branches are substantially spaced from each other. Thus, the chordjoiners generally indicated at 59 are of U-shape construction, the side arms or branches thereof 50a, 50h (Fig. 11) being spaced apart from each other and connected by a horizontal body 59C having side ledges like 35a, 36h (Fig. 4), a shank like 35 to match the slot 3l) in the rail head and two fillet welds 5| like welds 3l, 38 in Fig. 4. The spaced upper ends of the legs 5ta, 56h are oppositely offset, the dimension of each offset being one half the thickness of the 'stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar from which the chord-joiner is made. The offsets are preferably made as shown in Fig. with bends 52 as low as possible while clearing trolley wheels 51, and bends 53 as high as possible while clearing the stem of the top chord. Each chordjoiner 5d is rigidly connected to the stem of the top chord by two fillet welds 54 at the outside edges of 50a and 55h. Additional llet welds 55 and 56 may be added at the inside edges of 50a and 50h for tack welds or for supplementary strength.

The chord-joiner 58 (Fig. 11) is preferably made from a length of rectangular rolled steel bar, the mid-section of which is heated for bending and forging to form the body portion 50c and while in the heated condition it may be compressed longitudinally to upset the bar to provide suicient metal for the ample height and width indicated for 59C, the said width being such that the body portion has end projections beyond the two arms 50a and 59D, the ample height and width being desirable to provide substantial strength for the chord-joiner where it is to be combined with the track sections.

The drawings show three typical forms of construction, any one of which might be manufactured as a type adaptable to various spans, depths, capacities and the like. The advantage of such a typical form of construction for integral-trolley rail is that the chord-joiners may be made for stock in various lengths but otherwise alike and that workman may become accustomed to uniform procedures in manufacture.

When the rail is used there will arise internal stresses which tend to change the shape of the rail with resultant deflection vat the track. Noticeable deflection is objectionable and requires trolleys to be moved up-hill. A common internal stress will be resisted by the weld 54 on 50a and a similar weld on Elib, in proportion to the width of the chord-joiner. The width of the chordjoiner 50 may be dened as the distance from the outer edge of 55a to the outer edge of 50h. A somewhat greater width than shown `would provide greater strength, but if the width be increased4 to a dimension substantially greater than the: depth of the integral rail, a diierent style of construction will result as regards distribution of' stresses, methods of design and manufacture, and. open spaces thru the rail. For best meeting gen-I eral requirements, the rails illustrated by Figs. 5 and 9 use chord-joiners with width dimension less than the depth of the rail.

The intermittent chord-joiners 5i) are stronger in resisting buckling than a continuous or sectional web plate construction of equal depth because they are thicker. They are more economical because of the relatively large amount of open space between them, and between Ythe arms 50a and 59h. 'I'he thickness of a chord-joiner, possible without interference with trolley-wheels and without increase in width of track, makes possible the construction of an` integral rail of. greater depth than those heretofore in common use. Greater depth gains increased strength and decreased deiiection.

Referring generally to llet welding of any two steel members it is desirable to have relation of parts and application of welds so that each weld is subjected in use to shearing stresses only. Welds are generally considered objectionable if subjected to tension, or to bending moments, or

- to tension and bending simultaneously. Integral trolley rails joined by fillet welding have been widely used in many forms. The integral rail of this invention is believed to be the iirst disclosure of a combination of parts and welds wherein the principal stresses are taken by welds in shear. This is true for stresses due to normal loads on movable trolleys, to side sway of loads, and to ofi-side hoisting.

As in prior embodiments, a rail section of the type illustrated in Fig. 9 may be provided at its ends with web plates 29 welded along their top and bottom edges to the upper and lower chords, and at their ends to typical chord-joiners.V

Overhead trolley rail as described in the foregoing thus comprises a welded hence homogeneous or integral assembly of upper and lower chords, with specially formed and related chordjoiners and specially combined web plates, connecting the chords, in which the principal stresses are transmitted by welds in shear. Hence, an overhead rail constructed in accordance with the invention combines with other desirable features great strength in proportion to the dead weight thereof and to the amount oi materials plus labor employed in its construction, with the rail being characterized by minimum dead weight consequent to the open-work construction between-the chord-joiners. In addition to centering the lower chord directly beneath the upper chordand in l such manner as to provide the necessary resilience arm-avm" in. resisting side thrusts .due to travellmg loads.

the specially formed chord-inmersa@ such-as;

to provide a typical form or .construction ,and .also permit passage through the rail of pipes., conduits and supporting members.

A wide upper .chord with outer edges thick enough to resist buckling is attained 'by Vthe llSc of .a `common structural T section rolled and fab.- ricated for such use. `A narrow bottom flange at track is attained by the use .of a standard track section designed and usable for another purpose requiring a narrow trolley track, .and found especially useful in the combination described herein.

Moreover, .overhead track according to the .invention may be prefabricated linto complete sections with provisions for end .splices and connections to supports whereby sections may be readily assembled and erected at the job. The specially formed and related chord-joiners are of advantage in manufacture in that they permit the chords to be trued up with a minimum expenditure of time and energy prior to the rigid connections of the various elements by the Welding procedures outlined above.

Each element of theintegral rail .herein described may be combined with all necessary supplementary elements; therefore an integral rail according to the invention can meet all the objects of the invention simultaneously.

The preferred form of this invention uses a bottom chord track member of two rolled sections 2211, 22h (Fig. 4). Many of the advantages of the invention may be attained when using any one of the well known track members consisting of a single rolled section having two wheelflanges near. the bottom, a rail head at the .top and a connecting web. Fig. 12 .is a view similar to Fig. '11, showing one chord-joiner 58 as used to con- :nect the top chord 2l and a single section rail =60 forming the bottom chord. The chord-joiner shown at 58 i-s formed from a rectangular bar to have a U shape construction with side arms 58a :and 58h spaced apartfrom each other and connected by a horizontal body portion 58o. A weld .59 connects the chord-joiner to the rail head. Above the body portion, the arms 58a and 58h are the same as arms 50a and 50h respectively. INothing new is claimed regarding the track 60 or the connection provided by the weld 59, but :an integral rail made with chord-joiners 58 will have the advantages of the invention with regard 'to all construction above the connection-s of the :track with the chord-joiners.

As many changes could be made in vcarrying Aout the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended `.that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal ange and a vertical stem; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and offset lgrooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; Aa plurality of chordconnectors spaced apart along the rail; each chord-connector having near its upper end a rigid connection to the stem of the top chord, the said rigid connection including means to resist shear with portions oisaid meansspaced apart, and

the-total number oflrneans to resist shear on one side of the .stem being substantially equal -to the total number on the other side of the stem for the plurality of chord connectors; each' chordconnector having near its lower end a side ledge on each side an-d extending across the width of thechord-connector, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces .inside the rail head; and rigid connections .for substantially all of the chord-connectors provided by fillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing the chord-.connector ledges .and the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagementaforesaid.

2, .A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal flange and a vertical stem; a parallel bottom chord consisting of .two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together soas to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and -a rail head having a longitudinal slot and onset grooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside .the rail head; a plurality of chordconnectors spaced apart along the rail; each chord-connector having near its upper end a rigid connection to the stem of the top chord. the said rigid connection including means to resist shear with portions of said means spaced apart, and the total number of means to resist shear on one side of th'e stem being substantially equal to the total number on the .other side of the stem for the plurality of chord connectors; each .chord-connector having near the lower end a side ledge on each side and extending across the width of the chord-connector, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; rigid connections for substantially all of the chordconnectors provided by fillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing 4the chordconnector ledges andthe rail-head horizontal surfaces` in the bearing engagement aforesaid; and rectangular plates adjacent the points of support .of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the edge of said stem, its lower edge welded to said rail head, and its other two edges. determining the locations of the two adjacent chord-connectors and being welded thereto respectively.

3. A trolley rail comprising: a monorail bottom chord; a structural .top chord parallel thereto and having a horizontal flange and a vertical stem.v .with the flange forming the top of the trolley rail; a plurality of chord-connectors spaced apart throughout the length of the said rail and connected to the said bottom chord; each chordconnector having near its upper end a rigid `connection to the stem .of the top chord, the said rigid connection including fastening means to resist shearV with portions of said means spaced apart a substantial distance on .said stem, and the total, number of means Vto resist shear on one side of thestem bei-ng Substantially equal to the total number on the other side of the stern for the pluralityof chord connectors.

4. A trolley rail including la top chord and a parallel bottom chord consisting of two. track membersl of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured; together so as to provide a two-tread track; for trolley wheelsand a rail lillead having a longitudinal slot and offset. grooves. defined in partby two horizontal surfaces inside the rail. head, and including a discontinuous series of chord connectors between the top and bottom chords, characterized by: said top chord including one fiange and a portion of the web of a wide-ange structural I beam, the ilange width of the top chord being more `than twice the ange width of the bottom chord; the top and bottom chords being spaced. apart so that the distance between them is greater than th'e depth of the bottom chord; a plurality of chord-connectors spaced apart along the trolley rail; each chord-connector being connected rigidly to the top chord; each chord-connector h'aving near its lower end a side ledge on each side and eX- tending across the width of the chord-connector, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; and rigid connections for substantially all of the chord-connectors provided by llet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing the chord-connector ledges and th'e rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid.

5. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal flange and a vertical stern; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and offset grooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; a plurality of chord-connectors spaced apart along the rail; each chordconnector having the form of a hat bar of width less than the depth of the trolley rail; said bar having its upper end offset, the dimension of the offset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar, having its upper end rigidly connected to the stem of the top chord by two vertical nllet vwelds spaced apart the width of the bar, the said offset and connected ends alternating generally between the two sides of the stem; said bar having near its lower end a side ledge on each side and extending across the width of the bar, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; and rigid connections for substantially all of the chord-connectors provided by fillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing the chord-connector ledges and the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid.

6. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal flange and a vertical stem; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and offset grooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; a plurality of chord-connectors spaced apart along the rail; each chord connector having the form of a flat bar of width less than the depth of the trolley rail; said bar having its upper end offset, the

dimension of the offset being one half the thickness of the stern of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar, having its upper end rigidly connected to the stem of the top chord by two vertical fillet welds spaced apart the width of the bar, the said oiset and connected ends alternating generally between the two sides of the stem; said bar having near its lower end a side ledge on each side and extending across the width of the bar, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surraces inside the rail head; rigid connections for substantially all of the chord-connectors provided by iillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing the chord-connector ledges and the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid; and rectangular plates adjacent the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the edge of saidstem, its lower edge welded to said rail head, and its other two edges determining the locations of the two adjacent chord-connectors and being welded thereto respectively.

7. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal iiange and a vertical stem; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together 'so as to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and oiiset grooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; a plurality of chordconnectors spaced apart along the rail, each chord connector being formed from a steel bar of width less than the depth of the trolley rail and having its upper end split into two substantially equal parts and the two parts oppositely offset, the dimension of each offset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar; each chord connector having near its upper end a rigid connection to the stem of the top chord, the said rigid connection including two vertical fillet welds spaced apart the width ofthe bar and on opposite sides of said stern; each chord-connector having near its lower end a side ledge on each side and eX- tending across the width of the chord-connector, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; and rigid connections for substantially all of the chord-connectors provided by iillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing the chord-connector ledges and the railhead horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid.

8. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal flange and a vertical stern; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and o'ifset grooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail head;'a plurality of chord-connectors spaced apart along the rail, each chordconnector being formed from a steel bar of width less than the depth of the integral rail and having its upper end split into two substantially equal parts and the two parts oppositely offset, the dimension of each offset being one half of the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar; each chord connector having near its upper end a rigid connection to the stem of the top chord, the said rigid connection including two vertical fillet welds spaced apart the width of the bar and on opposite sides of said stem; each chord connector having near its lower end a side ledge on-each side and extending across the width of the chordconnector, .the two ledges having bearing engagel1 ment withthe aforesaid horizontal surfaces inside thefrail head;` rigid connections for substantially all of the chord-connectors provided by fillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord-connector and securing the chord-connector ledges and the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagernent aforesaid; andl rectangular plates adjacent the points of support of the trolley rail, each; plate having its upper edge welded to the edge of said stem, its lower edge welded tosaid rail head, and its other two edges determining the locations ofv the two adjacent chord connectors and being welded thereto respectively.

9. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal; flange and a vertical stem; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together s-o as to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and offset grooves definedy inv part by two horizontal surfacesu inside the rail head; a plurality of chord-connectors spaced apart along the rail, each chord-.connector havingV a rectangular U shape of width less than the depth of the trolley rail, the arms of the- U being oppositely oiset and the dimension .of each onset being. one half the thickness or the stem of the top, chord plus One half,A the thickness of; the arm;` each chord connector having near its upper end'a rigid connectlon tothe stemof' the top chord, the said rigidconnection including two4 vertical llet welds spacedapart the width of the U and on opposite sides ofA said stem; each chord connector haringA nearv its lower end a. side ledge on` each sideand extending; across-thewidthof the chord connector,4 thetwo ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid; horizontal surfaces inside; the rail` head; andrigid connections for substantially all of` the chord connectors provided byfiillet-` Welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the1 chord connectcrl and securing the chord-connector ledges4 andthe rail-headhorizontal surfaces inthe bearing engagement aforesaid.

1.0;., A trolley rail comprising: a structural; top chord having a: horizontal flange and a vertical Stem; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel., formedand secured together so as to provide atwo-tread.- track for trolley wheels anda rail head having a longitudinal slot and offset.4 grooves defined inpart. by two horizontal surfaces inside. the rail head a plurality of chord .f 'connectors spacedv apart along the rail each chord; connector having; a rectangular U shape of width lessrthanthedepth of; the trolley rail, the; arms of the U being oppositely oset and the dimension of; each oiset being one half the thickness of the, stem, off the topchord plus one half the thickness of the arm; each chord connector hai/.ing near its upper end a rigidconnection to. the stemo thel top chord, thesaid rigid connection including two vertical fillet Welds spaced apart the width of the U and onoppos-ite sides of said stem; each chord connector having near; its lower end a side ledge on each side and etxendl-ng across the width of the chord connector, the two ledges, having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces. inside the rail head; rigid connections for substantially all of; the chord connectors;l provided by nllet welds attaching thctwo track members to the two sides respectivelyof the chord.- connector and securing the chord-connector ledges and the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid; and rectangular plates adjacent the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge Welded to the edge of said stem, its lower edge welded to said rail head, and its other two edges determining theY locations of the two adjacent chord connectors and being welded thereto'respectively. l

11. A trolley rail comprising: a bottom chord suitable for the movement thereon of load'bearing trolley wheels; astructural top chord parallel to-and spaced at a substantial distance'from the bottom chord and having a horizontal flange forming the top-oi the trolleyl rail and a vertical stem projecting downwardly; a plurality ofv chord connectors between the bottom chord and they top chord, which-are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between said chords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating withV the chord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size .of the bottom chord and the longitudinal dimensions of the clear spaces generally beingof substantial degree in proportion to the width of achord connector; each chord` connector being welded at its lower portion to the bottom chord; each chord connector being welded at its upper portion to the stem of the top. chord at at least two points spaced apart a substantial distance on the said stem, with the amount of welding on one side of the stem being substantially equal to the amount of Welding on the other side of the stem for the plurality ot chord connectors; and each chord connector including at least one offset, the dimension of each oifset being substantially equal to half the thickness of. the stem of the topchord plus half the, thickness of the chord connector.

12. A trolley rail comprising: a bottom chord suitable for the moyeinentthereon of load bearing trolley wheels; a structural top chord parallel to and spaced-at a substantial distance-from the bottom chord and having a horizontal flange forming the topof the trolley rail and al vertical stem projecting downwardly; aplurality of chord connectors between the bottom chord and the top chord, whichV are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between saidchords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating withr the chord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of eachv clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the` longitudinal dimensions of` the clear spaces generally being of substantial degree in proportion to .the width of a chord connector; each chord connector beingr welded at itsl lower portion to. the bottom chord; and each` chord connector being welded at; its upper portion to the stem of the top chord at atleast two points spaced` apart a substantial distance on the said stem, with the amount of welding onone side' of the stem beingsubstantially equal to the amount of welding on the other sideof the stem for the plurality of chord connectors.

13. A trolley rail comprising: a bottom chord suitable for the movement thereon ofload bearing trolley wheels; aA structurall top chord Darallel to,` and SPacedgat al substantial distance from 13 the bottom chord and having a horizontal llange forming the top of the trolley rail and a vertical stem projecting downwardly; a plurality of chord connectors between the bottom chord and the top chord, which are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between said chords `and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating with the chord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the longitudinal dimensions oi the clear spaces generally being of substantial degree in proportion to the width of a chord connector; each chord connector` having the form of a rectangular plate or bar with the longer dimension vertical, when viewed from the side of the trolley rail, the lower portion of the bar being welded to the upper portion of the bottom chord, the upper portion of the bar being offset, the dimension of the offset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar, and being connected to the stem of the top chord by at least two lillet welds spaced apart a substantial distance on the said stem; and the offset and connected ends of the plurality of chord connectors, alternating generally between the two sides of the stem of the top chord.

14. The combination of the structure set forth in claim 13 together with rectangular plates adjacent to the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the stem of the top chord, and its lower edge welded to the uppermost portion of the bottom chord.

15. A trolley rail comprising: a bottom chord suitable for the movement thereon of load bearing trolley wheels; a structural top chord parallel to and spaced at a substantial distance from the bottom chord and having a horizontal iiange forming the top of the trolley rail and a vertical stern projecting downwardly; a plurality of chord connectors between the bottom chord and the top chord, which are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between said chords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alteru nating with the chord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the longitudinal dimensions of the clear spaces generally being of substantial degree in proportion to the width of a chord connector; and each chord connector having the form of a rectangular plate or bar with the longer dimension vertical, when viewed from the side of the trolley rail, the lower portion of the bar being welded to the upper portion of the bottom chord, the upper portion of the bar being split into two substantially equal parts and the two parts being oppositely offset, the dimension of each oiset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar, and being connected to the said stem by at least two vertical iillet welds spaced apart the width of the bar and on opposite sides of the stem.

16. The combination of the structure set forth in claim 15 together with rectangular plates adjacent to the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the stem of the top chord, and its lower edge 14 welded to the uppermost portion of the bottom chord.

17. A trolley rail comprising: a bottom chord suitable for the movement thereon of load bearing trolley wheels; a structural top chord parallel to and spaced at a substantial distance from the bottom chord and having a horizontal flange forming the top of the trolley rail and a vertical stern projecting downwardly; a plurality of chord connectors between the bottom chord and the top chord, which are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between said chords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating with the chord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the Vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the longitudinal dimensions of the clear spaces generally being of substantial degree in proportion to the width of a chord connector; each chord connector having a U shape as viewed from the side of the trolley rail, the lower portion of the U having a horizontal portion of substantial length, said horizontal portion being welded to the upper portion of the bottom chord, the upper portion of the U being in the form of two arms spaced apart a substantial -distance in proportion to the depth of the top chord, each arm being offset, the dimension of each olTset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the arm, and each arm being connected to the stem of the top chord by means of iillet welding; and the amount of Iillet welding on one side of the stem being substantially equal to the amount on the other side of the stem, for the plurality of chordconnectors.

18. 'I'he combination of the structure set forth in claim 1'7 together with rectangular plates adjacent to the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the stem of the top chord, and its lower edge welded to the uppermost portion of the bottom chord.

19. A trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord having a horizontal top ange forming the top of the trolley rail and a vertical stem projecting downwardly; a parallel bottom chord consisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two-tread track for trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and oiTset grooves Vdeiined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; a plurality of chord connectors between the top chord and the. bottom chord, which are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between said chords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating with the chord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the longitudinal dimensions of the clear spaces generallybeing of substantial degree in proportion to the width of a chord connector; each chord connector having the form of a recetangular plate or bar with the longer dimension vertical, when viewed from the side of the trolley rail; said bar having its upper end offset, the dimension of the offset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord lowerend aside ledge on each side an-d'extending across-the width-of-` the bar, the two :ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizonvtal surfaces inside the rail head; rigid connections forfsubstantially all o f the chord connectors provided by llet welds'attaching the two members to the two sidesv respectively of the chord. connector and securing the'rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid; andfrectangular plates adjacent to the points .of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the stem of the top chord and its lower portion welded to the uppermost portion of the bottom chord.

2.0;V A ,trolley rail comprising: a structural top chord' having; a horizontal top flange formi-ng the top ,of the trolley rail' and avertical stem projecting downwardly; a parallel bottom chord consisting-of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two-tread track `for trolleyv wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and olset grooves defined in partv by two horizontal' surfaces inside the rail head; a plurality of chord connectors between the top chord and the bottom chord, which are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form aplurality of clear spaces through the trolley rail between said chords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating with thechord connectors at least through the greater and intermediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the longitudinaldirnensions of the clearspaces generally beingy of substantial degree in proportion to the width of the chord connector; each chord connector having the form of a rectangular plate or bar with the longer dimension vertical when viewed from the side of the trolley rail; said bar having its upper end split into. two substantially equal parts and the two parts oppositely offset, the dimension of each offset being one half the thickness of the stem of the top chord plus one half the thickness of the bar, and being vconnested to the said stem by at least two vertical jllet welds spaced apart the width of the bar .and on .opposite sides of the stem; said bar having near its lower .end a side ledge ,on each sidefand extending across the width of the bar, the two ledges having bearing engagement with the aforesaid horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; rigid .connections for substantially all of the chord .connectors provided by fillet welds attaching the two track members to the two sides respectively of the chord connector and securing the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid; and rectangular plates adjacent to the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its upper edge welded to the stem of the top chord, and its lower portion welded to the uppermost portion of the bottom `Chord.

,21, ,A trolley rail comprising: a structural top `Chord having ahorizontal top flange forming the top o i the trolley ra-i1 and a vertical stern pro,- jecting downwardly; a parallel bottom chordcon.- sisting of two track members of a standardized rolled section of hard steel, formed and secured together so as to provide a two-treadvtrackior trolley wheels and a rail head having a longitudinal slot and offset grooves defined in part by two horizontal surfaces inside the rail heal; a plurality of chord connectors between the top chord and the bottom chord, which are spaced apart along the trolley rail so as to form a plu,- rality of clear spacesthrough the trolly railbetween said chords and said chord connectors, with the clear spaces alternating with the chord connectors at least through the greater and in.- termediate portion of the length of the trolley rail, the vertical dimension of each clear space being of substantial degree in proportion to the size of the bottom chord and the longitudinal dimensions ofthe clear spaces generally being of substantial degree in proportion to the widthof the chord connector; each chord connector having a U shape as viewed from the side of the trolley rail, the lower part-of the U having a horizontal portion of substantial length includ,- ing a side ledge on each side and extending across the said horizontal portion, the two ledges having bearingv engagement with the aforesaid'horizontal surfaces inside the rail head; rigid connections for substantially all ofthe chodconnectors provided by fillet welds attaching Che two track members to the two sides respectively of the horizontal portion of the chord connector and securing the rail-head horizontal surfaces in the bearing engagement aforesaid; the upper; portion of each chordv connector being in theform of two arms spaced apart a substantial distance in proportion to the depth of the top chord;` each arm being offset, the dimension of each oiset being one half the-thickness of the stem o f the top chord plus one half the thickness of the arm, each arm being connected to thestem of the top-chord by means of iillet welding, and the amount of llet welding on one side ofthe Stem being substantiallyequal to the amount on the other side of the stem, for the plurality ,0f .Chord connectors; and. rectangular plates ,adjacent to the points of support of the trolley rail, each plate having its .upper ,edge welded to the stem of the top chord, ,and its lower portion welded to the uppermost portion of the bottom Chord.

EUR'I'IS B. MQCARN,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 885,001 Cameron f--fg--fV-ff Apr. 14, 1,908 1,592,814 Harris July 13, 1926 1,649,577 Coryell Nov. l15, 1927 1,722,291 Hanak July 30, 1929 1,935,758 Zabriskie Nov. 21, 1933 2,163,888 Nelles l June 27, 41939 2,331,860 Stevens Oct. 12, 19.43

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 660,390 France Feb. 18, 1929 

